Intensity Factor (Heat Buildup) of Polymeric Building Materials Via ASTM D7990

Introduction

Polymeric materials are commonly-used in the building industry due to useful properties like waterproofing, wear resistance, and insulation. However, they can deform and distort due to heat buildup from the sun which is dependent on the material’s optical properties, color (darker materials absorb more energy), fillers and other pigment systems.

The LAMBDA 1050+ with a 150 mm integrating sphere accessory allows for a rapid and effective measurement of intensity factor which correlates to a material’s heat buildup in a fraction of the time required by the traditional methodology. Using this technique, select color/pigment and substrate systems are presented. It is clear from the data collected that each of these combination designs have an impact on the heat buildup with the substrate having the largest.

• Quick and reproducible calculation of Temperature Rise (°C) and Intensity factor for polymeric materials
• Reflectance spectra collected using LAMBDA 1050+ with 150 mm InGaAs Integrating sphere according to ASTM D7990
• Properties of the polymeric materials, including substrate, play a role in the temperature rise and intensity factor